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Tlie 

Ma^tor^^ Birtbday. 



A. Play for Children 

In TTiree Acts. With an Epilogue in Pantomime. 



By H. REA WOODMAN 

(I 

Author of "The Sweet Girl Graduates, 
"The Professor," and "His Uncle John. 



COPYRIGHT 1908, 

BY REA WOODMAN 



PUBLISHED BY 

ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE. 

F^RAINKLrllN, - OHIO. 



F6 35^f 



c/ 



Dedication 
To my little nephew, Benjamin Woodman Manier, 
who abides, secure and supreme, 'in my heart of hearts,' 



COPVSiGHT Oc!lCl 
15N0VI9I2 



"Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts 
a favorite child. And his name is David Copperfield." 
Preface to ''David Copperfield:^ 



The motive of this little play is found m the eleventh chap- 
ter of "The Personal History of David Copperfield," the pur- 
est bit of autobiography in all the length of that exquisite self 
revelation. It would be well for the elders to read the chapter 
before they coach the children for '"The Master's Birthday." 



THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY 

David Copperfleld 

Tommy Traddles 
Oliver Twist 
'Pip- 
Little Nell 

Florence Dombey 

Agnes Wickfield 
Little Em'ly 

The Marchioness. 

The Dominie of Greenfields Schoolhouse. 



ACT 1 . The Letter. Wednesday afternoon, June 7, 1871, 
ACT 2. The Party. Friday afternoon, June 9, 1871. 
ACT 3. The Dominie's Story. The same day. 
Epilogue. For the Master. 



ACT I.— The Letter. 

{Wednesday afternoon, June 7th, 1871. 
Hamstead Heath, an open place, with only 
a few gnarled tree stumps around, near the 
city of London. Enter David CopperHeld 
in haste). 

David: It's funny Tommy Traddles isn't here. 
{pauses to take several breaths) He said 
he'd come right after dinner. If he doesn't 
hurry we won't have time to write every- 
body, {sits down upon a tree stump, and 
takes off his hat) I hope Steer forth hasn't 
been here. 

{Enter Little Nell, as if looking for 
some one.) 
Nell: {not seeing David) I cannot find Grand- 
father. I've looked and looked for him and 
I'm very tired. Oh what if I'm lost ! {sees 
David and looks at him in silence.) 

David: {after eying Little Nell a minute in serious 
silence) If you know where you are, you 
aren't lost. 
Nell: This is Hamstead Heath, isn't it? 

David: Yes, this is Hamstead Heath. {There is a 
silence, the children regarding each other 
gravely) What is your name? 
Nell : {looking away off, anxiously) My name is 
Nell. Grandfather cannot have gone far, 
do you think? 

David: Nell what? 
Nell: Just Little Nell, {sits down on a tree 
stump) I'm very tired. 

David : What is the rest of your name ? Everybody 
has two names. Steerforth has two names, 
and so has Traddles, and so have I. You 
must have another name. 
Nell: {shaking her head) I am "Little Nell." 
That's what Grandfather calls me. 

David: {quickly) Do you live with your Grand- 
father ? 



Nell: Yes. 
David: {eagerly) In the Old Curiosity Shop? 

Nell: Yes. In the Old Curiosity Shop. 
David : Then you are Charles Dickens's * Little 
Nell. Why didn't you say so ? Well, I am 
glad I met you today. 
Nell: What is your name? 
David: David Copperfield. 

* To be pronounced throughout the play in 
four syllables. 
Nell: {opening her eyes very zvide) Charles 
Dickens's David Copperfield? 
David: {proudly) Yes, I am that David Copper- 
field, and I tell you I am glad that I met 
you. 
Nell: Why, do you know where Grandfather is? 
David : No, but I want to invite you to a party. 
Nell : A party ? Invite me to a party ? Whose 
party ? 
David: {zvith much importance) Yes, to a party 
we are getting up for Charles Dickens, — 
The blaster, you know. All his children 
are going to give him a party on his birth- 
day. 
Nell: They arcF Can I come? Oh please let me 
come! 
David : Of course you are to come. I am inviting 
you now. Tommy named you ; you are on 
his list. 
Nell: Oh, I am so glad I am to come! Grand- 
father will be glad, {suddenly, in quite 
another tone) Can Grandfather come? 
David: No, it's only Charles Dickens's children, 
but he won't mind when you tell him 
how it is. 
Nell: No, he won't, and I think he will let me 
come. Who is getting it up? Will Flor- 
ence and Paul be there ? And Kit ? 
David: {nodding) ^// Charles Dickens's children, 
— every single one we can find. 

8 



Nell: Oh, isn't it lovely? 
David : Yes, it's fine. Steerforth thought of it, you 
know. And everybody is to bring some- 
thing good to eat, 'cause they always have 
refreshments at a party. 
Nell: (sadly) I can't bring anything if — if — un- 
less I find Grandfather. 

(Enter Oliver Twist, in poor clothes.) 
David : Hello, Oliver Twist ! Have you seen Steer- 
forth? 
Oliver: No, I came to look for Little Nell, (to 
Nell) Your Grandfather is looking for 
you. He's by that oak tree — you know that 
big tree by the well, on the right of the 
road? 
Nell: Yes, is Gradfather there? 
Oliver : Yes, and he told me to tell you to come. 

Nell: (rising) What is he doing? 
Oliver : He's just resting and waiting for you. 
Nell : Oh, Oliver Twist, there's going to be such 
a beautiful party! 
Oliver : A party ? 

David : Yes, and you are to be sure and come. 
Oliver: (looking wondering from one to the other) 
What party? Am I to be invited to a 
party ? 
Nell : We are all invited. David is getting it up. 
David: But Steerforth is helping me. You know 
he always thinks of such grand things 
to do! 
Oliver : I have never been to a real party. 

Nell : Neither have I. But this is a real party. 
David: Yes, this is a real party; we are going to 
have invitations and refreshments — and — 
and everything they have at a real party. 
Oliver: (looking down at his clothes) My clothes 
are not good enough for a party. 
Nell: (laying her hand on Oliver's shoulder) 
But it is not a dress-up party, is it, David? 



David: No, it is a birthday party, — a party where 
everybody comes because they love the one 
whose birthday it is. 

OHver: (still looking doivn at his clothes) Whose 
birthday is it? 

David: Charles Dickens's. 

Oliver: {looking up quickly) Oh, The Master's 
birthday ? 

David: Yes, we are getting up a party for him. 
But don't tell. It's a surprise. 

Oliver: Then I can go in these clothes. He knows 
my mother is dead. 
Nell : {looking down at her own clothes) I don't 
think The Master cares much about clothes 
anyway. He knows they do not really mat- 
ter. I must go to Grandfather, or he'll 
think I'm not coming. Where is the party, 
David? You haven't told us yet. 

David: {pointing) Down that Avay. In Green- 
fields Schoolhouse. 

Oliver : Yes, I know ; I've been past t!;ere often. 
Nell: Grandfather will know where it is. 

David: Come Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and 
bring some — some refreshments. 

Oliver: {in dismay) Does everybody have to bring 
some refreshments? 
Nell : I'll bring some for you, Oliver. 

Oliver: {anxiously, to David) Will it be all right 
if Little Nell brings some for me? 

David : Yes. Besides, boys do not have to bring 
any refreshments. That is for girls, you 
know. 
Oliver: Oh, it is. 

Nell : {starts to go) Grandfather will hz worried 

if I don't come. 
Oliver : I'll show you where he is. Little Nell. It's 

this way. {they go out) 
David: (springing up, and calling after them) 

When Little Nell is all right, you come 



10 



back, Oliver Twist. We want you to 'strib- 
ute invitations. 
Oliver: (from outside) I'll be right back. 
David : (looking in the other direction from the one 
the children have taken) I think yonder 
comes Tommy Traddles. (zvatches a min- 
ute in very evident suspense) Yes, sir, it's 
Tommy ! ( calls) Hello, Tommy ! 
(Enter Tommy Tradles, in blue clothes, 
very tight-fitting.) 
Tommy : How long have you been here ? 
David: Where is Steerforth? Did you bring the 
letter ? Have you seen Ham ? 
Tommy: (breathing hard) My, I ran 'most of the 
way up the hill ! Steerforth can't come just 
now. He's out walking with Miss Creakle. 
David : Well, he'll come as soon as he can. Where 
is Ham Peggotty? 
Tommy : I can't find him. Missis Gummidge thinks 
he must be fishing with Mr. Peggotty. 
Little Em'ly can come. I told her and 
Missis Gummidge said she could. 
David: Did you tell her about the refreshments? 
(sits down on the tree stump again.) 
Tommy: (taking off his hat, and sitting down on an- 
other stump close by) Yes. 
David : And where the party is to be ? 
Tommy: Yes, Missis Gummidge wrote it all down. 
(he picks up a long stick and marks idly in 
the sand.) 
David: (pointing after Little Nell and Oliver 
Twist) Look going there. 
Tommy: (looking) Who is it? 
David : Little Nell and Oliver Twist. He is coming 
back to help 'stribute invitations. 
Tommy: (marking in the sand) Everybody will 
come, I think. I told Pip and Tom Grad- 
grind. 

Tavid : I don't suppose Tom can come ? 
11 



Tommy : He will come if he can run off. He doesn't 

durst ask his father. Who's going to in- 
vite Agnes? 
David: I'll tell her. And say, Tommy, I don't 

want to invite Uriah Heep. 
Tommy: (thoughtfully, marking on the ground) We 

ought to, though. 
David : (slowly) Do you really think we ought to, 

Tommy ? 
Tommy: (not looking tip) He's one of Charles 

Dickens's children, isn't he? 
David: (zvatching Tommy's marking very closely) 

Yes, but — but I don't think he loves him 

very much. 
Tommy: (looking np at last) I don't like him, and 

you don't like him, and Agnes doesn't like 

him, but we can't tell how The Master feels 

about him. Did he ever tell you he didn't 

like Uriah Heep? 
David: (dejectedly) No, of course not. (There is 

a silence. Tommy marking on the ground, 

David watching him.) 
Tommy : (looking up at last) I tell you what, David. 

You ask Agnes what she thinks about it. 

She'll know what we'd better do. 
David: (brightening up) Yes, she will. And if 

she says invite him, we will. Well, who 

else? 
Tommy: (taking a crumped paper out of his pocket 

and consulting it) There's Tiny Tim, and 

Paul and Florence Dombey, and the Jelle- 

bys. 
David: We ought to ask the Micawber children — 

only not the twins, of course. They're too 

little. 
Tommy: (writing lahoronsly, the paper on his knee) 

Yes, and the Micawber children. And Joe, 

the Fat Boy. 
David : I hope he'll eat a good dinner before he 

comes. Have you put down the little Ken- 

wigses? But only Morleena'll come. 

12 



Tommy: (zvriting) The Kenwigses. And oh, yes, 
Sissy Jupe ! 
David : And tell her to bring Merrylegs. Invite 
Merrylegs 'special, hadn't we? 

Tommy: (zvriting very rapidly) Don't go so fast. 
There are a good many. It will be a big 
party. 
David : I am so afraid we'll forget some of them. 
Now think, Tommy. Think hard. 

Tommy: (earnestly) 1 cannot thing of anybody else 
— not a single one. 
David : Neither can I. Oh, yes, there's "Mealy Po- 
tatoes." 

Tommy: (straightening up) Who's "Mealy Pota- 
toes?" 
David : (looking straight ahead, and speaking slow- 
ly) A boy I used to work with at Murd- 
stone and Quinby's. His father's a water- 
man. He's a very ignorant boy, but — but 
he ought to be invited, I think. 

Tommy: (after consideration) Do you think he'd 
care if he wasn't? 
David : (still looking straight ahead) I don't know, 
but he is one of Charles Dickens's children. 

Tommy: Well, then, invite him. (zvrites) "Mealy 
Potatoes." It's a queer name. 
David: (gravely) Yes, it's a queer name. And 
there's Smike, but I guess Squeers wouldn't 
let him come. Let's not tell Smike; it 
would only make him feel bad. And be- 
sides, Squeers might beat him if he knew. 

Tommy : ' No, it's no use to tell Smike ; he'd only get 
thrashed for it. How about the March- 
ioness ? 
David : Oh yes, the poor little Marchioness ! Do 
you suppose she could come? 

Tommy : I'll tell Dick Swiveller to make Sally Brass 
let her come. 
David: Well, you see Dick Swiveller, but tell him 
not to tell. Tell him it is most particular, 

13 



but do not say it is a surprise party. Don't 
forget. The Master wouldn't think it was 
a nice party without the Marchioness. 
Tommy : If we tell Dick Swiveller, he'll see that she 
gets to come. He isn't afraid of the 
Brasses. 
David: You won't forget? And don't tell him it 
is a surprise. Did you bring the letter? 
Tommy: {taking a white envelope, much wrapped 
up, from his jacket pocket) Here it is. 
{unwraps it carefully) Steer forth copied 
it for me. 
David: Then it is all right, I know. Go on, Tom- 
my, read it. 
Tommy : {gets up from the stump, takes a few steps, 
and stands very straight) See if it sounds 
all right, {reads aloud with much pride.) 

London, June 6th, 1871. 
Charles Dickens, Esquire, 
Gadshill, in Kent. 
Dear Master : We, the undersigned, act- 
ing as a committee for your loving and 
obedient children, respectfully ask you to 
meet us on particular and pressing business 
at Greenfields Schoolhouse Friday after- 
noon, at 3 o'clock, p. m. Please, honored 
Sir, do not — do not — Please, honored Sir, 
do not — I don't know what this word is. 
There is a blot here. It looks like "hail," 
or "whale." 
David : {getting up and taking the letter) It can- 
not be "whale." Where is it? Oh, I see. 
{reads sloivly) "Please, honored Sir, do 
not — do not — F-A — , it's 'fail,' Tommy. 
'Do not fail us.' 'Please, honored Sir, do 
not fail us, as we are very anxious to see 
you, and the business cannot be postponed. 
We beg to remain, honored Sir, 
"Your humble and obedient 
servants, 

"Thomas Traddles, 
"David Copperfield, 
"James Steerforth, 

14 



Tommy: (taking the letter and refolding it with 
much care) Steer forth signed it for us all, 
you know. 

David : That letter is all right. Don't you think so, 
Tommy ? 

Tommy : I think that is a good letter. 
David : You'd better put it in the post right off. 
Today is Wednesday, and — 
Tommy: (looking away off) There's Tom Grad- 
grind ! I'll bet he's looking for us ! (calls) 
Tom ! Oh Tom !— Hello, Tom ! 
Dovid: (looking in the same direction) O Tom! 
Tom Gradgrind ! Whistle to him, Tommy. 
Tommy: (whistles and whistles) He's going the 
other way! (he dashes out.) 
David: (calling after him) Are you coming back 
here? 
Tommy: (from distance) No. Come on! 
David: I'm coming! (starts on a run) 

Curtain. 



15 



ACT II.— The Party. 

{Greenfields Schoolhonse, Friday after- 
noon, June 9th, 1871. Several plain, dark- 
wood chairs, and a plain, dark table on 
which are a fezv big books. The door opens 
and in come Little Nell and Little Bni'ly, 
wearing strazv hats, shoulder shazvls, and 
carrying little baskets.) 
Nell : It's a good thing the door was not locked. 
(takes off her hat and shaivl) What would 
we have done if it had been locked ? 

Em'ly : The boys said they would climb in the win- 
dow if it was. Tommy Traddles says he 
doesn't mind climbing in windows. 
Nell: We are the first ones here, (looks around 
the room slozvly) I think it would be lots 
nicer to have the party outside, don't you ? 

Em'ly: We can go out under the trees right after 
we eat, you know. It wouldn't be a party 
party if we had the refreshments outside. 
Nell: No, that is so. (arranges their hats and 
shazi'ls carefully on a chair) We might get 
the table fixed. Where do you think it 
ought to be? 

Em'ly: Let's wait until Florence comes. She will 
know what to do ; they have such beautiful 
things at their house. Her father buys 
her everything she wants. 
Nell: (lifting a big book from the table) But 
her mother is dead. 

Em'ly: Yes, her mother is dead, (she carries a 
book to the corner, where they are stacking 
them on the floor) It is a good thing that 
she is coming. She will bring such nice 
things to eat. 
Nell: (lifting a book) I couldn't bring much, — 
just bread and cheese and ginger cake. .Do 
you think it will be all right? 

Em'ly: (dusting the tabic) Of course it will. We 
want some of everything, and I couldn't 
bring any cheese. I wish the others would 

16 



come. Maybe they're waiting to come with 
The Master. 
(Enter Florence Donibey, with two nap- 
kin-covered baskets.) 
Florence : Is this where the party is to be ? 

Nell : How do you do, Florence ? Yes, this is the 
right place. Where is Paul ? Put your hat 
here with ours. 
Floren'ce: (taking off her pretty hat) I thought I 
would be the first one here. Paul has a 
headache, and Papa wouldn't let him come, 
but he sent his basket. 
Nell: That is nice. It is too bad he couldn't 
come. Where is Ham, Eni'ly ? The Master 
will want to see him, sure. 
Em'ly: Ham is so afraid of company I couldn't 
get him to come. He put something in the 
basket, though. 
Florence : Hadn't we better fix the table ? 

( There is a murmur of voices outside the 
open door.) 
Em'ly : Listen ! It's Agnes and David ! 

(Enter Agnes WickHeld and David 
CopperHeld.) 
David : Has The Master come ? Where is Trad- 
dies? How did you get in? 
Nell : (taking Agnes' s hat) What did you bring, 
Agnes ? 
Florence: No, The Master has not come yet. What 
time did Tommy write him to come? 
David : At 3 o'clock. Where are you going to have 
the party ? Isn't Steerforth here yet ? What 
shall I do with this? (holding out Agnes' s 
basket.) 
Em'ly : Give it to me. What did you bring, Agnes ? 
Agnes: (taking the basket from Em'ly, and taking 
therefrom a little zvhite apron) Some sand- 
wiches and cake, and — 
David : And grapes. I brought the grapes. 
Agnes: (tying on her apron) We must get ready 
17 



for the party. David, you go to the spring 
and get us some water, please. 
David : What shall I carry it in ? 
Florence: Oh, I forgot; I have an apron, too. (gets 
it from her basket) Didn't anybody bring 
a pitcher? 
Agnes: {to David) Bring it in the gourd. It 
holds a good deal. {David goes; the girls 
unpack their baskets, and arrange the re- 
freshments.) 
Florence: This is Paul's basket. I don't know what 
he put into it. He wouldn't let me see. 
Agnes: Isn't Paul coming? Let's spread the nap- 
kins for a table cloth. 
Nell : We ought to have some flowers, I think. 
Florence: Oh look, look, Paul has put in a letter for 
The Master! {holds up a little envelope) 
Em'ly: {going to her) What does it read? 
Florence : It is sealed, but on the outside it says, "For 
The Dear Master." Poor Paul, he wanted 
to come so much ! 
Agnes : It is too bad, but we can tell him all 

about it. 
Em'ly: Yes, and let's take him some of the re- 
freshments. 

{Pip appears at the open door.) 
Pip: {standing in the door) Is this where the 
party is to be? 

Nell: Yes, Pip dear, come right in. The party 
is almost ready. 

Pip: {advancing into the room, and slozvly forc- 
ing a big red apple from his pocket) I 
brought this. Joe hooked it for me last 
night. 
Agnes: {taking the apple) Thank you, Pip. We'll 
put it right in the middle of the table, and 
eat it for dessert. 

Pip: {standing on tiptoe to survey the table) 
My, that looks good ! 

{Re-enter David, quite out of breath.) 

18 



David: There isn't any gourd at the spring. It's 
gone. Hello, Pip ! Tommy Traddles and 
Oliver Twist are coming! 
Pip: (not turning from the table, but turning his 
eyes in David's direction) How do you 
know they are? 
David : I saw them 'way down the road. 
Agnes: What shall we do for water? 

Pip: We can all go to the spring and take a 
dwink. That's the way Joe and I do. Cake 
makes you awfully fristy! 
David : Yes, we can do that. 
Nell : We are all going to take a walk afterwards, 
and we can go by the spring. 
Florence: There, everything is ready. How do you 
think it looks ? 
David: (contemplates the spread) They are very 
nice refreshments, I think. 
Pip : I frink it looks very good, don't you, Em'ly ? 
A Voice: (from outside) Hello! Is this Greenfields 
Schoolhouse? 
David: That's Tommy Traddles' voice! (goes to 
the door) Come on in, Traddles ! 
Pip. (turning from the table with a sigh) Yes, 
here we are, and the party is all ready. 
(Enter Tommy Traddles and Oliver 
Tzvist) 
David : Hello, Oliver Twist, how are you ? 
Oliver : (takes off his ragged cap) I couldn't bring 

anything. I — I didn't have anything. 
Agnes: (taking his cap) That's all right, Oliver 
Twist. We are glad to see you. We have 
enough, anyway. 
Tommy: (to David) Did you see Sissy Jupe? (he 
and David consult apart.) 
Pip: (anxiously surveying the table) Do you 
think there'll be enough cake ? 
Em'ly: Yes, a slice apiece is enough, and then 
there are some little cakes, too. 

19 



Pip: (shaking his head doubtfully) You'd better 
count the pieces. 
Oliver : I won't eat an)', 'cause — 'cause I didn't 
bring any. 
Nell: (shaking her head at Pip) I brought 
enough for you, Oliver Twist. You know 
I promised I would. 
Tommy: (coming forward) This is all I could find. 
(takes five small biscuits from five separate 
pockets) And they aren't buttered ! 
Em'ly : There are twelve pieces of cake, Pip, so you 
see there are plenty. 
Florence : If we only had a bouquet for the table ! 
Tommy: Til go buy one. I have sixpence. 

Nell : (with hesitation) I do not think The Mas- 
ter would like us to buy flowers. 
Oliver: (eagerly) Do you think he likes meadow 
flowers best? 
Nell : Yes, I am sure he does. 
Oliver: Let me go pick some, because I couldn't 
bring anything, you know. 
(There is a knock on the panel of the open 
door, and, startled, they all turn to see the 
Dominie standing there.) 
David : Oh, I thought it was Steerforth ! 
Tommy : I thought it was Tom Gradgrind ! 
Florence: (stepping toivard the Dominie, and making 
a little courtesy) How do you do, Sir? 
Nell: Won't you come in. Sir? (the Dominie 
comes forzcard, taking oif his broad black 
hat as he does so.) 
Dominie: (looking about in astonishment) Why, 
what's all this ? What's all this ? ( the chil- 
dren gase at him in silence) Children, 
what's all this mean? 
David : We're having a party. 

Dominie : Well I should say you were ! I should say 
you were ! 

Tommy: Do you mind. Sir, our having a birthday- 
party here ? 

20 



Dominie 



Florence 
Dominie 



David 

Dominie : 

David 

Tommy 

Dominie : 

Children : 
Dominie : 



Em'ly 
Dominie : 



David 

Dominie : 

David 

Pip: 



No indeed ; not in the least. But who are 
you all? {There is a silence; the children 
gace at him in puazlcd suspense) Where 
did you all come from ? And how did you 
get in here? 

(timidly) You aren't angry, are you, Sir? 
Angry ? Why, certainly not. Certainly not. 
I am the Dominie of Greenfields, and I only 
stopped to get some books. You may have 
all the party here you want to. But I must 
know your names. (Silence. Pip looks from 
the Dominie to the table, from the table to 
the Dominie.) Won't you tell me your 
names? And maybe invite me to your 
party ? I am not too old for a party, am I ? 
(the children consult' apart.) 
(coming forward tvith timid formality) 
Please, Sir, we are Charles Dickens's chil- 
dren. 

(smiling) What, the famous Charles Dick- 
ens, — the great Charles Dickens? 
Yes, Sir. 

(nodding %vith much vigor, and running 
his hands through his hair) We are the 
great Charles Dickens's children. 
(seating himself) Oh, I see, I see. And 
you're having a Dickens party is that it? 
(in a relieved chorus) Yes! Yes, Sir! 
Well, then I am glad I happened to come. 
I love Charles Dickens, too. (to Little 
Bm'ly) And whom do you represent, my 
dear? 

I am Little Em'ly. 

"Little Em'ly." (strokes her bright hair) 
Then where is "Master Davy" and Peg- 
gotty and — 
Here I am. 

Are you "Master Davy"? 
I am David Copperfield, Sir. 
(pressing tip to the Dominie) I am Pip. 

21 



Oliver: And I am Oliver Twist. 
Dominie: (rising to shake hands with the boys) 
This is delightful. I have heard a good 
deal about you boys. 
Nell: And please, Sir, I am Little Nell, and this 
is Florence Dombey. 
David: (taking Agnes by the ha^id) And this is 
Agnes Wickfield. 
Dominie : I am very glad to meet you both. And this 
is Paul's sister! (to Florence) Where is 
Paul? I should so much like to see him. 
(he reseats himself). 
Florence : Paul had a headache today, so he did not 
come to the party. ( The Dominie looks at 
her as if a little surprised.) 
Dominie: (to Tommy Traddles) You represent 
Tommy Traddles, don't you? 
Tommy : What do you mean ? 
Dominie : You are playing Tommy Traddles, aren't 
you? The boy who was always getting 
thrashed, and then drawing skeletons? 
Tommy: (standing very erect) You mean I am 
pretending f 

Dominie: Yes, playing you are Tommy Traddles, 
you know. 

Tommy: (running his fingers through his hair, ex- 
citedly) I am not playing anybody. I am 
Thomas Traddles, Esquire. 

Dominie: (looking at him intently) Dear me, I beg 
your pardon, (sloivly) I beg your par- 
don. I thought you were playing you 
were — were Charles Dickens's children. 
David: (stepping bravely to Tommy's side) No, 
Sir, we are not playing. We are Charles 
Dickens's children, and we have got up this 
party for him. He will be here pretty 
soon. It is his birthday, you see. 

Dominie: His birthday? Today f 

David : Yes, sir, and we are his children, and this 
party is for him. 

22 



Dominie: (after a long, long pause) Excuse me, lit- 
tle David. ... I think I understand now. 
I thought it was a play, but I see I was 
mistaken. You are Charles Dickens's 
children. 

Children: (joyously) Yes, Sir! Yes, Sir! 
Nell : And this is 'a surprise party for him. 
Agnes : We are waiting for him to come. 

Pip : Yes, and we have lots and lots of cake, and 
grapes, and — and ev'ryfring! 
Dominie: Does he know you are waiting? 

David: Yes, Sir, we wrote him where the party 
would be ; he can't miss it. This is Green- 
fields Schoolhouse, isn't it? 
Dominie : Yes. 

Nell : (busy at the table) He will be here pretty 
soon. 

David: We didn't tell him it was a party. We 
just wrote we wanted to see him on par- 
ticular and pressing business. 
Dominie: Where did you address the letter? 

David : Tommy wrote it. Tell him where. Tommy. 
Tommy: (embarrassed, but business-like) Why, Sir, 
to Charles Dickens, Esquire, Gadshill, 
Kent. 
David : It is a beautiful house. Sir. I heard a man 
talking about it once. 
Dominie: Who told you he lived in Kent? 

Tommy: Why, Steerforth said so. 
Dominie : And who told you it was — is — his birthday ? 

David: Steerforth. 
Dominie: Who told Steerforth? 

David: Nobody told Steerforth. He doesn't have 
to be told things. 

Dominie: (shaking his head doubtfully) Did he 

write you? 
Tommy & 

David: Who? Steerforth? 
Dominie: No, Charles Dickens, The Master. 

23 



Tommy: No Sir, but we know he'll come. 

Pip: (steals a piece of cake zvith secret haste) 
But he is very busy writing books. It 
takes a long time to frink up a book. {The 
Dominie puts his arm about Pip, who leans 
against him contentedly, munching his 
cake.) 
Agnes: {taking off her apron) Everything is 
ready now. 
Florence: It is getting late. I wish he would come. 
Em'ly : Do you suppose he will come in a fine car- 
riage ? 
Agnes : I think we had better cover the cake, don't 
you? {The girls consult apart, hovering 
about the table anxiously.) 
Dominie: If I were you I would not wait for him. 
David: But it is his birthday, you see. 

Pip : {wiping his mouth on a small blue hand- 
kerchief) The cake is very good. I hope 
he likes chocolate cake. 
Em'ly: It is getting late. Let's go look for him, 

Little Nell. {They go out the door.) 
David : If he doesn't come today he will tomorrow. 
We could have the party then. 
Pip : But the cake will not be so good tomorrow. 
Oliver: Maybe he is helping some poor children, 
and cannot come. 
Dominie : If I were you I would not wait any longer. 
Florence: {coming close to the Dominie) Why do 
you say that. Sir? Do you want to use the 
schoolhouse ? 
Dominie: No, my dear, I only came for some books. 
There is no school now. 
David: That's why we had the party here, Sir. 
We thought it would be a good place. 
Tommy : Yes, that's the reason. 

{Re-enter Little Nell and Little Bm'ly.) 
Nell; We cannot see him anywheres on the road. 
Dominie: {very gravely and gently) I do not think 
The Master will come today. 

24 



Oliver: {shaking his head earnestly) You do not? 
Dominie: He cannot come today. 
Oliver: Is he sick? 

David: (pressing close to the Dominie's side) Is 
his mother dead? 
Dominie : No, he— he is not sick. (The children press 
around him, eager and azved.) 
Agnes: (looking at David sorrowfully) Did he 
tell you he wouldn't be here, Sir? 
Dominie : No, I. ... I have not seen him for a long 
time. 
Tommy: He will come if he is not sick. I wrote 
him it was particular business. 
Pip: (nodding) Yes. We tole him it was 'tic- 
ular business. 
Em'ly: I knoiv he will come. 

Oliver: Yes, for it is his birthday, and there is 
frosted cake. 
Dominie: (solemnly) The Master cannot come to- 
day, children. He— he is dead. This is 
the anniversary of his death, not his birth- 
day. (There is a zvide-eyed silence.) 
Pip: (wonderingly) Is he dead? 
Oliver: My mother is dead, too. 
David: So is mine. (There is another silence, the 
children looking thoughtfully at the Domi- 
nie.) 
Tommy : That is why he did not answer our letter. 
Dominie: Yes, that is why. 
Tommy: Steerforth ought to have told us. 
David: I suppose he died since Steerforth saw 
him. 
Dominie: (caressing Pip's hand) Yes, I think Steer- 
forth does not know he is dead. 
Florence: If you please. Sir, when did he die? 
Dominie : A year ago today. 
Tommy: (after a silence) I suppose Steerforth got 
it mixed. 
Nell: How about the party now? 

25 



Pip: Why, there won't be any party; not if he 
cannot come. 
Dominie: But The Master would want you to have 
the party just the same. 
Em'ly: (shaking her head) I couldn't eat any 

cake — not now. 
Oliver: No, we couldn't eat the — the refreshments 

now. 
David : No, we onghtn't to have the party if The 

Master is dead. 
Agnes: What shall we do with the cake? 
Dominie : I know what Charles Dickens would like 
to have you do with it. I know as well 
as if he had told me. 
Nell: What is it? 
Dominie : Give it to the poor children you know, — 
the children who never have any cake on 
their birthdays. That is what he would 
tell you to do with it, for he was very 
good to the poor. He never forgot them, 
and he was never too busy to help them. 
Nell : Yes, yes, let's give it to the poor. I'll 
pack the cake, {gets the baskets.) 
Florence : And these grapes — (the girls pack the food 
away in their baskets.) 
Agnes: (tying on her apron again) Let's put some 

of everything in each basket. 
Em'ly: Oh yes, some of every single thing! 
Pip : And cut up my apple, and put it in. 
Tommy: (going to the table) And my biscuit. I 
wish they were buttered now ! 
Nell: Yes, for his birthday — oh, I forgot! (turn- 
ing to the Dominie) Can't we play it's 
his birthday, just the same? 
Dominie: Yes, Little Nell, just the same . . . just the 
same ! And while you girls are fixing the 
baskets, suppose you boys come out on the 
playground and let me tell you about The 
Master? 
Tommy : (getting his hat) I'll go get out the bench, 

26 



— it's behind the schoolhouse. Come on, 
Oliver. (He and Oliver hurry out of the 
room.) 
David: Will you tell us about when he died? 
Like Peggotty told me about Mamma? 
Pip: (sliding down from the Dominie's knee) 
And about when he was a little boy? 

Dominie: (getting up from his chair) Yes, every- 
thing. David and I can tell you a whole 
lot about him. (Walks toivard the door, 
one arm about David's shoulder, the other 
hand holding Pip's.) 
David: I never saw him, Sir, but I imagine— oh, 
so many things about him! And some- 
times I dream about him — I do indeed. 
Sir! 

Dominie : Yes, David, and he dreamed of you all his 
life ... all his life ! You really know him 
better than any of us. You knew him 
very well indeed when he was a little boy. 
David: (shaking his head sadly) No, I just im- 
agine things about him. I never saw him, 
Sir. 

Dominie : Well, come on, and I'll tell you about him. 
You little girls will come out pretty soon? 

Florence : Yes, Sir, when the baskets are ready. Will 
you help us carry them around to the 
poor children? 
Dominie : Yes, we'll all take them around. (He goes 
out of the door with the two boys.) 

Florence: My baskets are ready. (She puts on her 
hat, and takes up her baskets.) 
Em'ly: Are we going to give them the baskets, 
too? 
Nell: Oh let's, because it is his birthday! 
Em'ly: If they were only prettier — only trimmed 
with something! I could have brought 
some sea shells,— lovely little pink ones! 
(ties her hat under her chin, and fakes up 
her basket) I wish Ham had come; he'd 
like to hear about The Master. Come on ; 

27 



I want to hear the commencing, (goes.) 
Agnes: (taking off her apron) Is everything all 
right? (looks around the room) We 
ought to put the books back, I think. The 
Dominie will look for them on the table. 

Florence : Yes, I think we ought. ( They replace the 
books on the table.) 
Agnes : I want to hear what the Dominie is say- 
ing. He has commenced to tell about The 
Master. 

Florence: I am ready. (She and Agnes start to go.) 
Nell: I'll be there right away. Go on. (The 
girls go) Grandfather would have told 
me about The Master's death if he had 
known it. (straightens the books on the 
table and places the chairs at the table.) 
It was going to be such a nice party! . . . 
Of course he could not answer Tommy's 
letter if he was not — not here. But maybe 
he knows about it; Grandfather says the 
dead do not forget us. There, I guess 
everything is all right, (she goes out.) 

Curtain. 



28 



ACT III. — The Dominie's Story. 

{The playground of Greenfields School- 
house, Friday afternoon. The Dominie 
is seated on a tvooden bench, Pip on one 
side of him, David Copperiield on the other. 
The rest of the children are grouped about, 
the girls zvith their baskets.) 

Dominie: {concluding his story) And so, after all, 

you see, the sad little boy grew into a great 

and good and wise man, and wrote books 

that make people wiser and happier. 

Pip: {reflectively) I didn't know he was so 

poor. Why, he was poor as me ! 
Pip: {looking up at the Dominie) But he 
wasn't afraid, was he? 

Dominie : No, he was always a brave little fellow. 
But once he got very much discouraged. 
It was when he was working at Murd- 
stone and Quinby's warehouse, down in 
Blackfriars. {David sits more erect, and 
looks at the Dominie intently.) He was 
only nine years old, and — 

Pip: {straightening up zvith a sense of import- 
ance) I am nine years old. Was he as 
big as me? 
Oliver: I am eleven years old. 
Dominie : How old are you, David ? 

David : I am nearly eleven, but I remember when 

I was nine. 
Oliver: So do I. 

Pip: {sinking back against the Dominie with a 
sigh of completeness) I don't have to 
'member, 'cause I am nine now. 
Florence : Please tell us about the time he got so 

discouraged. 
Dominie: {patting David's hand as he continues) 
Well, you see his father and mother were 
so poor that Charles had to stop school and 
go to work. And at Murdstone and 
Quinby's they put him to wrapping up 
bottles and pasting labels on them. 

29 



(David continues to gaze steadfastly at the 

Dominie.) 
Oliver : What was in the bottles ? 
Dominie: Blacking, — shoe blacking. 

David : Please, Sir, I think you are mistaken. 

They were empty bottles. 
Oliver: {to David) What would they do with 

empty bottles? 

David: They had had wine in them, but the boys 
had to wash them — rinse them, you know. 
(^0 the Dominie, earnestly) Indeed, Sir, 
the bottles were empty. 

Dominie : Thank you, David, for putting me right, 
I remember now; they were empty wine 
bottles. Well, he had to work all day 
long, from morning to night. 

Nell: Was the work too hard for him? 

Dominie : No, it wasn't hard ; washing bottles is not 
hard work, but he thought he would never 
be able to go to school again, and never be 
anybody. {David, watching him intensely, 
zvags his head slowly.) He thought he 
would have to stay there as long as he 
lived — forever and ever. You see, he felt 
that the work was degrading, and he was 
very, very unhappy. I do not suppose 
the whole city of London held a sadder- 
hearted little boy. {There is a moment's 
sympathetic silence) And there were a 
good many sad-hearted boys in London, 
too. 

Oliver: I know how he felt. And sometimes he — 
he 'magined how it would be when he was 
an old, old man, washing bottles. {The 
Dominie nods once or tzvice with entire un- 
derstanding.) 

David: {slowly) I wonder if he knew "Mealy 
Potatoes ?" 
Dominie : {gently) Yes, David, I think he did. Why 
do you ask? 



30 



David: Why, Mealy Potatoes worked there when 
— when I did. 
Dominie: (gravely) When you worked where? 
David: {looking straight ahead, and speaking 
slowly) At Murdstone and Quinby's, Sir, 
down in Blackfriars. I worked there, like 
Charles Dickens did when he was a little 
boy. 
Tommy: Didn't you like it, either? 
David: No, I did not like it. (There is another 
silence, the children looking at the Domi- 
nie, David looking down.) 
Agnes: But when you found your Aunt, David, 

you were all right then. 
David : Yes, I was all right then. 

(Enter the Marchioness, in long apron and 
frilled cap.) 
March.: (puffing a little) Is this the party I am 
'vited to? 
Florence: (getting up and going to her) Yes. You 
are the Marchioness, aren't you? 
March. : Mr. Liverer said there was to be a party 
here, and he 'vited me. I runned all the 
way. 
Nell : This is the party. Come sit by me. 
March. : I come right as soon's I could. It seemed 
like Miss Sally would never get out of the 
kitching ! 
Pip: (peeping around the Dominie's shoulder) 
We are going to give the cake to the poor 
children, yon know. 
March.: Mr. Liverer is going to come for me, and 
he said I could stay an hour. I whist I 
wasn't late. 
Dominie : Please be seated, Marchioness, and we will 
explain to you why there is no party. 
Em'ly: I think this is a lovely party. 

Pip: No eating party, he means, Em'ly. (Flor- 
ence and the Marchioness talk apart.) 
Dominie : And I have thought of a good way to cele- 

31 



brate The Master's birthday, — a better way 
than "an eating party," as Pip calls it. 
Pip: I think eating parties are the nicest kind, 
don't you, Tommy? 
Tommy: Maybe the Dominie knows a nicer kind. 
(to the Dominie) What kind do you mean, 
Sir? 
Dominie : I've been thinking that we ought to do 
something in remembrance of him today. 
You know it is really a more sacred day, 
even, than his birthday. 
Nell : Oh, I wish we could do something — keep 
it in some real good way! 
Dominie: Do you all wish we could? 
Oliver: Of course we do. 
Tommy: That's why we got up this party. 
Pip: (glancing at the baskets) In course. 
Dominie: In the schoolhouse I have a little picture 
of Charles Dickens in a frame; I bought 
it only the other day to hang on the wall. 
Suppose we fix the picture out here and 
all gather flowers and decorate it? 
Agnes: Where will you put the picture? 
Em'ly : I think he would like that. I am going to 
get only red flowers. He liked them best. 
Oliver: (springing up) Oh, I tell you what! Put 
the picture on the bench, right in the cen- 
ter, and we can put the flowers all 
around it. 
Nell: That is a good way. (to the Dominie) 
Don't you think so. Sir? 
Dominie: (glancing anxiously at David) An excel- 
lent way. 
Pip: (sliding off the bench) Let's all go now, 
while he is getting the pitcher. 
Tommy: (getting up from the grass) How long 
can we have? (Florence and the March- 
ioness come forward.) 
Florence : I have told the Marchioness why The Mas- 
ter isn't here. And she says Sissy Jupe is 

32 



coming; she told her she was coming sure. 
Pip: (all attention instantly) Is she going to 
bring Merrylegs? 
March. : I don't know as she durst. But she's com- 
ing sure, she said. 
Dominie: Who is 'Merrylegs?' I thought I knew 
all Charles Dickens's children? 
Pip: (cutting a caper) He is Sissy Jupe's fath- 
er's dog, and he does tricks in a circus, — 
in Sissy Jupe's father's circus, I guess. 
Florence: No, it is not Mr. Jupe's circus, (to the 
Dominie) Sissy's father is a clown, Sir, 
in Mr. Sleary's circus. 
Dominie : Oh, I remember now. I remember now. 
Sissy was adopted by Mr. Gradgrind, 
Tom's father, wasn't she? I remember all 
about her now. 
Florence : Yes, Sir. 

Pip: (prancing joyously about) I am going to 
meet Sissy! (starts out) 
Dominie: (rising) Now, listen, everybody, (takes a 
silver whistle from his pocket) See this 
whistle? (he blows it) Now, when you 
hear that, come right back and bring your 
flowers. 
Children: (all but David, who ivatches all this re- 
motely) Yes, Sir! 
Pip : Come right back ? Do not stop to get any 
more? 
Dominie: Come right back. I will give you half an 
hour, (he looks at his watch) and every- 
body must get to work. We want lots and 
lots of flowers. 
Pip: (dancing about) Lots and lots of f'owers ! 
Em'ly: (taking Pip by the hand) May n't we go 
meet Sissy, Sir? 
Dominie: Yes, but gather all the flowers you can. 
Tommy: (starting) What if we do not hear the 
whistle ? 



33 



Dominie: I'll blow it so you can, though of course 
you must not go far. 
Tommy: Come on, Oliver Twist. {He pauses, looks 
at David, who doesn't know it, then turns 
irresolutely to Oliver) Come on. {They 
go-) 
March. : ( eating one of the sandzviches Agnes has 
given her) Am I to gather flowers, too? 
Dominie: {glancing at David, then half turning to 
go) Certainly, Marchioness, all the pretty 
ones you can find. Bring your apron full. 
Agnes: {replacing her basket under the bench) I'll 
show you, Marchioness. 
Nell: Put your basket with mine, Florence. 
Florence: {to the Marchioness) So will I. {puts her 
basket under the bench) Let's hurry. I 
wish Paul were here. He's always talking 
about gathering flowers. {The four girls 
go out. The Dominie turns, looks at David, 
zuho doesn't notice him, then goes out. 
In a minute he returns zvith a small framed 
picture of Dickens, and a big book. He 
steps up to the bench, behind David, and 
. stands there, looking down at him.) 
Dominie : Well, David, aren't you going to get any 
flowers ? 
David: {stirring a little, but not looking around) 
Yes, Sir, but I want to ask you something. 
Dominie: What is it? 

David : Charles Dickens was very unhappy at 
Murdstone and Quinby's, wasn't he? 
Dominie: Yes, David. 

David: It almost broke his heart to work there, 

didn't it? 
Dominie : Yes, David. 

David: {looking up) Well, Sir, what I wanted to 

know is, was his mother dead when he was 

working there ? 

Dominie: No, David, his mother was living at that 
time. 



34 



David 

Dominie : 
David 

Dominie 

David 
Dominie : 



Florence 

Dominie: 
Florence 



Dominie : 

Florence 
Dominie : 
Florence 

Dominie : 
Florence 

Dominie : 



: {after a pause) I am glad. My mother 

was dead when I worked there. 
: Yes, David. 

: (getting up from the bench) Which way 
did Tommy go? 

: (indicating) They are all in that field 
yonder. 

: All right, (he goes slozi'ly) 

: (looking after him) "I have in my heart 
of hearts a favorite child. And his name is 
David Copperfield." (He zvalks slozvly 
around in front of the bench, places the pic- 
ture in an upright position, propped up b\' 
the book. As he finishes doing so, in comes 
Florence Dombey.) 

: We girls have thought of something, Sir, 
and I came back to ask you. 
What is that, Florence? 

: Don't you think it would be nice. Sir. to 
drape the picture in white? We think it 
would. 

I think so, too, but I haven't anything white 
but my handkerchief, (he takes it out), and 
it isn't very white. 

: We thought our aprons would do. Sir. 
They are clean and soft. 

By all means, Florence, by all means. That 
is a beautiful idea. 

: (taking two aprons from their respective 
baskets) We thought the white would look 
pretty with the flowers. They are getting 
lots of flowers. 

(taking an apron) I am afraid I cannot 
help you ; all my fingers would be thumbs. 
(kneeling on the bench, and tucking the 
aprons about the picture in tiny folds) I 
can fix them, I think. We girls decided ex- 
actly how they ought to be. 
(presently) It is going to look very pretty 
.... Where did you learn to do that? 



35 



Florence: I didn't learn. Girls just know things like 

this. 
Dominic: (zvatching her thoughtfully) Yes, Florence, 

I think they do. 
Florence: (rising to her feet) Is that all right? 
Dominie : That is beautiful. 
Florence : Is the time almost up? (turns to go) 
Dominie : I will walk a little way with you, then blow 

the whistle. It is time the party was over. 

(they go out together.) 



36 



EPILOGUE. A PANTOMIME. 

For the Master. 

Enter Sissy Jupe and Little Em'ly, who 
place flowers on the bench, and linger about 
it lovingly. As they go out, Tommy Trad- 
dies comes with a small bunch, which he 
places into position very close to the picture. 
Then Pip and Oliver Twist, Pip proudly 
carrying the flowers and scattering them 
with much precission over the seat of the 
bench. Then, singly, and each retiring 
slowly when the task is done, the Marchion- 
ess, Agnes (with her hands full of trailing 
vines), and Little Nell. Lastly, David, who 
puts his flowers next to Tommy's, stands a 
minute sorrowfully contemplating The 
Master, then falls on his knees, his clasped 
hands extended toward the picture. 



37 



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